Method of forming an annulus and apparatus therefor



.1.v E. BATIE 2,005,215

METHOD OFFORMING AN ANNULUS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR June 18, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 14, 1931 ATTORNEYS La e 18, 1935. J. E. BATIE 2,005,215

METHOD OF FORMING AN ANNULUS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO RNEY G Patented June 18, 1935 METHOD OF FORMING AN ANNULUS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Joseph E. Batie, Detroit, Mich, assignor, by

mesne assignments,

to The Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Company, Detroit, Mlcln, a corporation of Delaware Application December 14, 1931, Serial No. 581,034

3 Claims.

The invention relates to the manufacture of an annulus such as a tire carrying rim, a brake drum, a pipe-coupling ring, a car wheel rim or tread and the like and has for one of its objects to provide an improved method of and also an improved apparatus for forming an annulus. Another object is to so form theannulus that it will have an accurate predetermined size and cross section.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for rolling the annulus correctly to size and shape and so constructed that it will automatically advance the roll into engagement with the annulus during the rolling operation.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which 4 Figure 1 is an end view of an apparatus showing an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectionon the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross sections on the lines 3-3, 44 and 5-5, respectively, of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Figure 2.

As illustrated in the present instance, a tire carrying rim is formed. This tire carrying rim,

designated by the reference character i, is of the drop-center type and is adapted particularly for use with motor vehicle wheels. In forming the rim, I first cast an annulus or ring by pouring molten metal in a suitable mold and this is preferably done while the mold is rotating, so that the annulus or ring is centrifugally cast to secure a better and more uniform grain structure. The annulus or ring formed in this manner is of approximately the predetermined final size and shape and is preferably of slightly smaller diameter than the predetermined final diameter. After the casting operation the annulus or ring is rolled to its predetermined final size and shape so that it will have an accurate diameter and cross section. This rolling operation is accomplished by placing the annulus or ring within a suitable annular master die ring which is preferably collapsible and which when fully collapsed presents an inner face of correct dimensions. One or more rolls of correct contour are then forced against the inner face of the annulus or ring and preferably around this inner face to thereby accurately roll the annulus or ring to its predetermined final size and shape. This rim is then ready to be secured to a wheel body or,

if desired, the rim can be further operated upon to provide seats for receiving spokes of the wheel body. Referring to the apparatus, 2 is the base having the uprights 3 and 4 provided with the cylindrical bosses 5 and 5, respectively. The boss 5 has atits front end the head 'I which carries the collapsible annular master die ring 8 formed of arcuate sections which, when the master die ring is collapsed, have end to end engagement. These sections have inner faces presenting the predetermined final contour which is to be assumed by the rim. Furthermore, the inner faces of these sections, when the mold is fully collapsed, present the predetermined final diameter which is to be assumed by the outer face of the rim. The sections of the master die ring are ,movable radially of the head I in the radial guideways 9 formed in this head and these sections are pivotally connected to the inner ends of the links l0, which links at their outer ends are pivotally connected to the ring i I. This ring II is located within an inwardly opening channel formed in the head and is peripherally movable relative to the head. As shown, the peripheral movement is accomplished by means of the pinion l2 which meshes with the arcuate rack i3 formed in a portion of the outer face of the ring and which pinion is adapted to be rotated by its shaft it having an end for receiving a suitable crank.

l5 is a roll for engaging the inner face of the annulus or ring, this roll having the predetermined final contour which is to be assumed by the inner face of the completed rim. The roll is journalled upon the crank l6 which in turn is journalled in the carrier ll. This carrier is an eccentric journalled in the boss 5, the arrangement being such that the axis of rotation of the crank is radially offset from the axis of rotation of the carrier. The carrier has secured to its rear end the gear l8 which is also located at the rear end of the boss 5 and the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the pinion i9 upon the drive shaft 20 of the electric motor 2|. This motor is suitably mounted upon the base 2. 22 is a housing fixedly secured to the rear side of the gear I8 and in axial alignment therewith. The rear end of this housing extends through and is journalled in the boss 6 and it has secured thereto the cylinder 23, which is preferably concentric therewith.

24 is a piston slidable longitudinally within the cylinder 23 and adapted to be moved in both directions by properly controlling the inlet and exhaust of suitable fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, at the ends of the cylinder. The piston is secured to the rod 25 which extends through the reduced rear end of the housing 22 and which at its forward end is secured to the base of the cam member 26. This cam member slides longitudinally within the housing 22 and is preferably keyed or splined thereto to be held from rotation. The cam member is provided with the longitudinally extending cam grooves 21 which are inclined relative to a plane passing through the axis of the cam member and which are engaged by the rolls 28. These rolls are journalled upon the pins 29 at diametrically opposite sides of the collar 30 and this collar is suitably secured to the shaft 3| as by being keyed or splined thereto. The shaft extends axially through the gear l8 and has at its forward end the gear 32 which is connected to and drives the gear 33 upon the rear end of the crank by means of the pinion 34. This pinion is journalled upon the pin 35 secured to the gear I8 and this pinion meshes with both the gears 32 and 33.

The fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, is adapted to enter the inner end of the cylinder 23 through the passageway 36 having a portion extending longitudinally of the cylinder side wall and opening into the cylinder at its inner end, a portion extending radially of the outer end wall of the cylinder and a portion extending longitudinally of the plug 31 and opening into the chamber 38. The plug 3'! extends axially from the outer end wall of the cylinder 23 and is fixedly secured thereto and is adapted to rotate therewith. The chamber 38 is stationary and communicates with the pipe 39. The fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, is adapted to enter the outer end of the cylinder 23 through the passageway 40 extending longitudinally of the plug 31 and opening into the outer end of the cylinder and into the chamber 4|, which latter is stationary and communicates with the pipe 42. Suitable packing is provided at the ends of the two chambers and suitable valve means controls the passage of the fluid under pressure into and from the chambers.

The construction is such that the annulus or ring is inserted within the collapsible master die ring when expanded, after which the master die ring is collapsed by rotating the shaft I 4. Current is then supplied to the electric motor 2|, which through the pinion I9 and gear l8 revolves the carrier l1 and with this carrier the crank it. The housing 22 being secured to the gear l8 and the cylinder 23 being secured to the housing, both the housing and the cylinder and the associated parts also rotate with the gear, as does also the crank it. Upon turning a valve to allow the fluid under pressure to enter the inner end of the cylinder 23, the piston 24 is moved to the right to the position shown in Figure 2 and in so moving carries the cam member 26 with it. so that the cam grooves 21 acting through the rolls 28 compel the collar 30 to rotate. This collar in turn rotates the shaft 3| andthe gear 32, which through the pinion 34 rotates the gear 33 of the crank shaft, thereby moving the roll I5 radially outwardly relative to the carrier. This relative movement takes place during the rotation of the carrier, so that the annulus or ring is gradually rolled against the master die ring and the roll and master die ring cooperate to accurately size and shape the annulus or ring to form the rim I.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An apparatus for forming an annulus, comprising a master die for engaging the annulus. a rotatable carrier, a crank eccentrically mounted on said carrier, a roll carried by said crank for engaging the annulus, and means comprising a member movable longitudinally of said carrier for rotating said crank relative to said carrier.

2. An apparatus for forming an annulus, comprising a master die for engaging the annulus, a rotatable carrier. a crank eccentrically mounted on said carrier, a roll carried by said crank for engaging the annulus. a piston movable longitudinally of said carrier, a cam member connected to and movable with said piston, and means actuated by said cam member and connected to said crank for rotating said crank relative to said carrier.

3. An apparatus for forming an annulus, comprising a master die for engaging the annulus, a roll engageable with said annulus, a rotatable carrier for said roll operable to move said roll circumferentially of said annulus, and means comprising a member adjustable longitudinally of said carrier for adjusting said roll radially of said carrier.

JOSEPH E. BATIE. 

